Installing a Tremec 5-Speed in Project C4orce

We Install A Classic Motorsports Group Five-Speed Transmission Package In Project C4orce And Send The Old, Troublesome 4+3 Packing

If you've ever spent any amount of time working with a Doug Nash 4+3-equipped C4, you've probably found yourself scratching your head, uttering expletives that would make a politician blush, pounding your fist against the wall-or all of the above. The concept behind the 4+3 was hatched at a time when automotive engineers were grasping at any and all available straws as they fought to produce cars that delivered decent performance, while meeting the then-current emissions and fuel economy standards.

Back in the day, I remember thinking the 4+3 would be a kickass gearbox for a Corvette. The main case and internal components are derived from the Borg-Warner Super T10 four-speed-a trans that established a reputation for strength, durability, and power shiftability during the '70s and early '80s. Unfortunately, the overdrive portion of the trans proved to be quirky at best; at worst (the more or less normal situation), its performance ranged between outright annoying and downright aggravating. Now, some 20-odd years after the fact, durability is a bigger question than ever, and the challenge of finding parts at a reasonable cost often makes replacement a more viable option than repair.

As an aside, the overdrive control used in some model years is apparently connected to the same wiring as the torque converter lock-up control. I once did a chip for an engine builder who had built and installed a 383 in an I-don't-remember-the-year C4. He was pressed for time, as engine builders usually are, and the only chip he had on hand to be reflashed was for an automatic. He said it was a real thrill when he took the car out for a testdrive and, without warning or provocation, the 4+3 shifted into and out of overdrive.

Obviously, installing a late-model, five-speed transmission isn't a drop-in proposition. it has a different external configuration than a 4+3 and also employs an internal rail shifter, rather than a side-mounted external type. Fortunately, companies like Classic Motorsports Group offer complete kits that greatly simplify the task.

These kits are typically built around Tremec TKO 500 or TKO 600 five-speed transmissions and include most, if not all, of the necessary conversion hardware. We used Classic's Ultimate Fit TKO-600 kit, which includes a specially modified transmission with a custom Hurst Sidewinder shifter mechanism, a Spicer 1330 slip yoke, a custom torque arm bracket, a shifter handle with five-speed knob, a template and close-out panel for modifying the transmission tunnel, a speedometer interface kit, hardware, and a comprehensive installation instruction manual.

We selected a TKO-600 model because of its higher torque capacity and more attractive gear ratios. With 2.87, 1.89, 1.28, and 1:1 first through fourth ratios, the 600 has a nice spread between gears. Its first gear ratio is also better suited to a 3.42:1 rear axle ratio than the TKO 500's 3.27:1 first gear; its .64:1 overdrive is also a better match than the 500's .68:1 fifth gear ratio.

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Installing a Tremec 5-Speed in Project C4orce

New school meets old school meets new school is the story of Project C4orce's drivetrain. Between the LSx engine and Tremec TKO-600 transmission is a bellhousing of the type that first saw the light of day in the late '60s. The original C4 bellhousing couldn't be retained because it's designed to fit a 153-tooth flywheel and LSx engines utilize a 168-tooth wheel and matching starter. Everything fits together nicely, and the Tremec transmission fits the chassis with plenty of room to spare. Alternatively, Classic Motorsports makes their own LS-to TKO aluminum bellhousing. This unit has all the correct bolt hole locations built into the bellhousing to properly match up with the LS motors.

Tremec 5-speeds were obviously not designed with C4s in mind, so one of the vital components included in Classic Motorsports Group 5-speed's kit is an adapter that bolts to the transmission's tailhousing and provides mounting points for the C-bridge.

As fate would have it, Tremec 5-speeds have a 31-spline output shaft, so standard GM slip-yokes won't fit. Hence the need for the yoke that's included in the CMG 5-speed kit. A 1310-to-1330 conversion u-joint is needed to mate the yoke to a C4 driveshaft. Alternatively, a new 1330 size weld-in yoke can be installed on the driveshaft so that you can use a standard 1330 u-joint instead of the conversion-style u-joint.

Back in the day, a clutch fork stuck through the opening in the bellhousings side. The opening obviously provides plenty of room for the braided stainless line required to connect a hydraulic throwout bearing to a master cylinder. Don't squint too hard; the line wasn't connected when this photo was taken.

TKO transmissions incorporate a conventional-style speedometer gear housing, so either mechanical or electronic speedometers can be connected. Transmission kits for C4s include the components necessary to provide proper input for the car's electronic speedometer.

McLeod's hydraulic throwout bearing is a one-piece assembly that mounts in place of the TKO's bearing retainer; whereas the C4's original system incorporated an externally mounted slave cylinder.

Even though the TKO-600 doesn't have a big, ugly overdrive unit at the rear, we were a bit concerned about clearance between the transmission and the Random Technology 3-inch-diameter x pipe system. Before getting too far along in the installation, we put the transmission in place with a makeshift C-bridge adapter to make it easier to move things around if necessary. Fortunately, there were no clearance issues.

In case you forgot, this is what a well-used 4+3 transmission looks like. It's essentially a Borg-Warner Super T10 with the overdrive from hell bolted to the main case in place of a conventional tailhousing.

C4orce's original clutch master cylinder is located behind the brake booster, and it didn't require much finagling to connect it to the McLeod slave cylinder.

The very positive feel of the Hurst shifter is a vast improvement over the original 4+3 shifter. The floor modification required to accommodate the shifter is completely covered by the console.

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